Blencathra - Hallsfell Top
Good walks are even better shared.
Overview
Blencathra: Hallsfell Top
Blencathra, also known as Saddleback, rises to 867.8 metres in the Lake District's Northern Fells. Hallsfell Top is its highest summit, with Threlkeld and Scales below the southern slopes.
Choosing a route
Blease Fell and Scales Fell provide walking approaches that avoid the two famous scrambling ridges. They remain steep mountain walks. Gategill Fell gives a rougher climb above Knott Halloo. Route overview
Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell Ridge are exposed Grade 1 scrambles. Sharp Edge is the more technical of the two, while descending Hall's Fell also demands scrambling skills and confidence with heights. Choose dry, calm conditions. Cumbria Tourism
The 7.6 km circuit from the A66 west of Scales climbs Sharp Edge and descends Hall's Fell, then crosses Scaley Beck on the return. Allow longer than the published 4.5 hours for breaks or slower scrambling. TGO route
Summit and landscape
The highest point is a rock about a metre north of the low circular survey marker, with similarly high ground a little farther north. Clear conditions open views towards Skiddaw, the northern fells, Keswick and Derwentwater.
Nearby tops include Knowe Crags, also called Blease Fell (804.5 m), and Gategill Fell Top (852.2 m). Skiddaw (930.4 m) lies farther west and is a separate mountain outing. Database of British and Irish Hills
Geology and name
Blencathra consists of Skiddaw Group sedimentary rocks, including mudstone and siltstone, locally hardened by heat from igneous intrusions. These resistant rocks help explain its rugged relief. Later glacial erosion shaped the landscape. British Geological Survey
The name is Cumbric in origin. A common interpretation relates it to a summit and a chair or seat, but the second element is disputed. Saddleback describes the mountain's profile; Wainwright helped popularise Blencathra. Name study
Safety
Wet, polished rock and gusty winds make the exposed ridges particularly hazardous. Sharp Edge's lower path still reaches the dangerous gap; it does not bypass the whole difficulty. Snow and ice can turn the ridges into winter mountaineering terrain. Keswick Mountain Rescue
Check a mountain forecast, allow enough daylight and carry a map, compass, waterproofs and emergency supplies. Choose a descent that suits the whole party, and avoid committing to beck crossings when water is high.
Access and facilities
Parking is limited. Use signed spaces, keep access clear and check restrictions before leaving your car. Do not assume private Field Centre or pub parking is available to walkers.
Stagecoach X4/X5 services connect Keswick and Penrith through Threlkeld. Check current timetables, the exact stop for Scales approaches and the last return. Stagecoach
Threlkeld has pubs and a coffee shop, with public toilet access at the Village Hall and Coffee Shop subject to opening. The White Horse Inn at Scales offers refreshments; Keswick has a wider range of services. Check opening before relying on any facility. National Park facilities information, White Horse Inn
Explore routes near Blencathra - Hallsfell Top
Public walks starting within 80 km of this hill. Nearby does not mean a route reaches the summit; check its map and access before setting out.
Bannerdale Crags from Mungrisdale Wainwright
View route
Mungrisdale Common and Bowscale Fell from Mosedale Valley Wainwright
View route
Derwentwater Walk: full lakeside circuit from Keswick
View route
Brae Fell from Longlands Wainwright
View route
Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches, not verified navigable routes or permission to cross land. Check current paths, local access rules and conditions before setting out.
Hall's Fell Ridge and Blease Fell circuit
From Threlkeld upper village car park (NY318256), climb via Gate Gill and Hall's Fell to Hallsfell Top. Return west over Gategill Fell Top and Knowe Crags, then down Blease Fell and the village paths. Allow time for exposed scrambling; bypasses still need care.
Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell circuit from Scales
From the A66 footpath at NY340268, climb via Mousthwaite Comb, Scales Tarn and Sharp Edge to Hallsfell Top. Descend Hall's Fell to Gate Gill and return east via Scaley Beck to the start. Both ridges involve exposed scrambling; the beck crossing is awkward, especially in high water. Allow longer than 4.5 hours for breaks or slow scrambling. Use permitted parking in the larger layby west of the start.
Blease Fell ascent and return
From the public parking area beyond Blencathra Centre on Blease Road (NY302256), climb Blease Fell to Knowe Crags, then follow the high ridge past Gategill Fell Top to Hallsfell Top. Return by the same route. This avoids Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell but remains a steep mountain walk. The Centre's own parking is separate.
Blencathra, Mungrisdale Common and Bannerdale Crags circuit
From above Scales (NY349272), climb Scales Fell to Hallsfell Top. Cross to Atkinson Pike and descend steep, loose Blue Screes to Mungrisdale Common. Continue to Bannerdale Crags, return to the col and follow the Glenderamackin valley back through Mousthwaite Comb to the start. Expect bogs and demanding navigation in mist.
Gategill Fell and Blease Fell circuit
From Threlkeld upper car park (NY318256), follow Blease Gill uphill, then climb via Knott Halloo and Gategill Fell Top to Hallsfell Top. Retrace the summit ridge west to Knowe Crags, descend Blease Fell and follow the lower paths back to Blease Gill and the car park. Expect steep, rough ground and take care near crags.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Photo Gallery
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NY3227 : The view west from Hallsfell Top
Gordon Hatton
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NY3227 : Blencathra from the summit of Great Mell Fell
Alistair Bradbury
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NY3227 : On top of Blencathra
Karl and Ali
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NY3227 : Blencathra
Les Hodgson
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NY3227 : Blencathra trig station
Nigel Davies
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NY3227 : Blencathra
Steve Partridge
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NY3227 : Blencathra
Alan Bate
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NY3227 : Sunset beyond Blencathra
Trevor Littlewood
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NY3227 : Blencathra from Derwentwater
David Purchase
NY3227 : Blencathra or Saddleback early in the morning
Peter Johnson
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
868m
2,847 ft
Prominence
461m
Coordinates
54.6400, -3.0498
NY323277
OS Map
90
Explorer: OL5S
At the Summit
The highest point is a rock about 1 m north of the low circular trig station; ground about 2 m north is approximately as high. The summit marker is not a conventional tall trig pillar.
Terrain & Geology
Blencathra is formed from Skiddaw Group sedimentary rocks, including mudstone and siltstone, locally hardened by heat from igneous intrusions. Later glacial erosion shaped the landscape.
Views & Scenery
In clear conditions there are extensive views towards Skiddaw, the northern fells, Keswick and Derwentwater.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
Blencathra is Cumbric in origin. A common interpretation connects it with a summit and a chair or seat, but the second element is disputed. The alternative name Saddleback refers to the mountain's profile.
Historical Significance
Also known as Saddleback, Blencathra is a long-established destination for fell walkers and scramblers. Alfred Wainwright helped popularise the name Blencathra and praised the Hall's Fell route.
Getting There & Facilities
Check current local access restrictions, parking rules and transport timetables before travelling. These notes do not confirm public access to the summit.
Parking
Choose parking for the route: Threlkeld's upper village car park is around NY318256; the public parking area above Blencathra Centre is around NY302256. Eastern approaches use permitted parking near Scales by the A66. Spaces are limited; obey current signs and avoid blocking access. Do not assume Field Centre or pub parking is public.
Public Transport
Stagecoach X4/X5 services link Keswick and Penrith via Threlkeld. Check current timetables, the exact stop served for a Scales approach, and the last return before setting out.
Nearby Facilities
Threlkeld has pubs and a coffee shop, with public toilet access at the Village Hall and Coffee Shop subject to opening. The White Horse Inn at Scales offers refreshments. Keswick has a wider range of shops and facilities. Check current opening before relying on them.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Sharp Edge and Hall's Fell Ridge are exposed Grade 1 scrambles with steep drops and serious fall consequences. Sharp Edge is more technical; Hall's Fell also requires scrambling skills, especially in descent. Bypass paths do not remove all difficulties.
- Wet or polished rock, strong wind, loose ground and poor visibility increase the risks. Walking approaches that avoid the ridges are still steep mountain routes. Northern approaches can cross boggy ground and loose Blue Screes.
Seasonal Hazards
Snow, ice and cornices can make the ridges and summit edges substantially more serious and require winter mountaineering skills and equipment. Check a mountain forecast; conditions aloft may differ greatly from the valley.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up Blencathra - Hallsfell Top?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Blencathra - Hallsfell Top through the maps
Are there other walkers around Blencathra - Hallsfell Top?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Blencathra - Hallsfell Top search or of course create your own walk for Blencathra - Hallsfell Top
Can I organise a walk to Blencathra - Hallsfell Top?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Blencathra - Hallsfell Top.
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up Blencathra - Hallsfell Top?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
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The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
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Community Discussion
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Location
Grid reference: NY323277
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Hills within 30 km
Straight-line distance, not a walking route or confirmation of access.
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